The subject of your letter of the
4th Ulto: has not been lost sight of.The
Chair of Mental & Moral Philosophy in Washington College, will be filled at
the general meeting of the Board of trustees, on the third Thursday in April
next.I have mentioned the claims
of the Revd Joseph M. Atkinson of Raleigh, and of his brother, Pres: of Hampden
Sydney, to members of the Board & Faculty, & am glad to find that they
are both favorably known, & highly appreciated.I consider it of the greatest importance that this chair should be
properly filled.The occupant
should not only be a man of true piety, learning, & science; but should be
so thoroughly imbued with the Heavenly principles of the blessed Gospel of
Christ; as to make His Holy religion attractive to the young, to impress it upon
their hearts, & to make them humble Christians.He should not only be free from bigotry, but clear of Sectarianism, &
not a participator in Controversy; having for his whole object the teaching of
wisdom, & the conversion of (page 2) all the students from sin to the
religion of Christ, of whatever sect or denomination.I hope we shall be able to obtain such an one.

I was glad to hear that your dear
family was improving in health.Remember
me most kindly to Mrs Gibson, Miss May & your sons,

We are only tolerably well, Mrs
Lee is suffering more at this time than usual.My sons still have returns of fever, & my daughters are not shiny.

I take great interest in the
completion of your Church, & wish it was in my power to afford effective
aid.I enclose a small sum in
furtherance of the object; which must not consider as the measure of my sympathy
in your labours, but of my ability to assist.